Grinding crackling popping in neck

[Jezzerie6]

Hi all, I'm still trying to find out some answers for my sister who is having trouble with her neck! A lot of crunching popping crackling etc does anyone know if there is any help for her? She is suffering and sometimes feels like giving up! She is usually a bubbly happy person but this thing is destroying her!

[Hidden]

To me, it sounds like Osteoarthritis. Exactly the same symptons i had, shooting pains that jolt you, crunching & grinding, shooting pains in my head which were agonising. At times while walking about, it felt like my head was wobbling about!

Personally, i would get an appointment asap with my GP

Your sister needs to do this, & take someone with her. She needs to insist on further investigation - MRI etc. Explain exactly how she feels, the symptons, the emotions she going through, maybe write it all down, because it would be stressful enough trying to remember & explaining everything. She must take someone with her, moral support & backup, depending on how the GP assesses & responds to your sister.

Best of luck for your sister & you.

Ruth x

[Jezzerie6 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much for your reply I'm sorry Iv taken a bit long to answer. Yes I think you could be right about it being osteo, but she has been to so many different specialist. What about the osteo medication do you think that would help her? I can't believe you sound you have the exact thing as she has got. I wish I could forward this to her to show her that she isn't going insane. What sort of help gave they given you ? Are you on any medication that might help? Thanks so much I can see that you know and understand what she is going through. Te

[Hidden in reply to Jezzerie6]

Hi, the only meds i can take at the moment is Gabapentin 300mg, take one tablet three times a day. These are to control the continuous nerve pains in my head!!

They've tried me on different tablets for the pain, but i reacted quite badly to each one. But, that doesn't mean your sister would react as well, everybody is different.

Once the Gabapentin started to kick in, i found i could tolerate the symptoms a bit more easier, although i do still have the pains, which obviously will never go away. It's just the case of finding an understanding GP, who knows about any form of Arthritis, & dosen't try to to fob you off saying 'it's just muscle strain' then trying to get an appointment for physiotherapy or acupuncture!...

Only other thing i use, is a hot water bottle to ease the pain. You can use Wheat Bags heated in the microwave. If she can't tolerate using heat, maybe try using something cold, me personally the cold makes my pain agonising.

Sorry it's not all the information you asked for, but I'm fairly new to this myself (18 mnths diagnosed), so still getting used to it.

Hope your sister gets the result soon, keep pushing & pushing.

Keep us informed.

Ruth x

[AgedCrone]

Has she seen a doctor or a physio.....it could be something or nothing.....stop worrying & get a qualified medical opinion.

It could just be her collar is too tight!

[Debbiecoops]

I have exactly the same symptoms as your sister. Sometimes even my husband can hear my neck crackle. It's osteoarthritis. I' m due to have some Physio on mine, in the meantime I find one off those heat things you put in the microwave helps. I also have constant head pain. Drives me crazy x

[Jezzerie6 in reply to Debbiecoops]

Oh dear unthought bit might be the osteo are you taking any medication for it ?

[Debbiecoops in reply to Jezzerie6]

Only pain killers and Physio. Not much else they can do I think

Ibuprofen gel can help

[nomoreheels]

Has she had her neck X-rayed? I think this would be the first investigation her GP would order. Without that or further imaging it wouldn't be an easy guess & she'll continue to feel rubbish.

I've had neck pain from before diagnosis & imaging confirmed cervical spondylosis, basically wear & tear. Whiplash from a car shunt has undoubtedly caused further issues though physio helped. Latest C-spine X-ray showed further degeneration but amitriptyline, pregabalin & conventional methods, heat & specific exercises have eased the cervicogenic headaches, though if I'm stressed they return, understandably.

So if she hasn't had any imaging that's the first step to find the cause, there's really no need to suffer as long as it's investigated & the trouble is found.

[Jezzerie6 in reply to nomoreheels]

Yes she did have an X-ray of her neck yes they said wear and tear but just normal fir her age they said! She is finding it very difficult it is taking away her enjoyment of life. You sound like your getting on top of it but it must be a very hard thing to go through . Thank you for your support. Te

[nomoreheels in reply to Jezzerie6]

As women we can expect Osteoarthritis (wear & tear or age related arthritis) from mid 40's, usually around first signs of the perimenopause, or earlier if there's previous injury to a joint (in the case of the neck whiplash would be considered previous injury). I was 48 & I'm 57 now.

Has your sister been offered any physio, exercises or medication? As it's affecting her so badly she really should be. I say this as it took a while to get mine somewhat bearable, only to have the shunt set me back. Anyway it's now controlled again thankfully. I hope she finds something that helps.

[Olmettig]

Is this pain, crackling only in her neck and shoulder?? She probably needs an x-ray of this area. Sometimes the feeling of popping can lead to something else. How is her breathing?? Does she get the crackling/popping when she breathes in or out?? If so, please see her doctor. Our lungs get affected from medications, and you need to be careful. Thinking of you!!

[Jezzerie6 in reply to Olmettig]

Thank you fir your reply I'm not sure if the pain gets worse with her breathing but I will ask her. Let you know what she says. Thanks Te

[Jezzerie6 in reply to Jezzerie6]

Thank you